U.S. President Barack Obama (silhouetted in car window) and his family return after his re-election, to the White House in Washington, November 7, 2012.

MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited newly re-elected U.S. President Barack Obama to visit Moscow next year.

​​Mr. Putin’s outstretched hand contrasts to the cold shoulder offered President Obama four years ago, at the time of the American’s first election.

At that time, Europe was swept with Obama-mania. But the Kremlin responded to Barack Obama’s election by announcing that Russia would install missiles in Kaliningrad, Russia’s westernmost territory.

Alexander Romanovich, a Duma deputy who is on the foreign affairs committee of Russia’s parliament, said the Kremlin is relieved that there will be continuity in Washington.

“If we talk about the troika, I see positive developments,” he said, referring to the two presidents and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. “I think a mutual understanding was achieved.”

The Kremlin’s pragmatism is grounded in the reality that the two presidents are now fated to work together through 2016. President Obama’s four-year term will entirely overlap with the rest of President Putin’s six-year term.

The Kremlin almost certainly was relieved that the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, did not win. Many Russians saw Romney as continuing Cold War views, after he branded Russia America’s “number-one geostrategic foe.”

The Kremlins pragmatism is grounded in the reality that the two presidents are now fated to work together through 2016. President Obamas four-year term will entirely overlap with the rest of President Putins six-year term.

Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - March 2012 "After my election, I will have more flexibility ..."

2
posted on 11/10/2012 9:21:48 AM PST
by NYer
("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." --Jeremiah 1:5)

Yes, now that there’s more flexibility, there are deals to be made. Namely Oama will make another nuclear treaty with Russia where we will destroy most of our nuclear stockpile, while Russia will lie and won’t. We can kiss our country’s defenses goodbye.

5
posted on 11/10/2012 9:26:43 AM PST
by flaglady47
(When the gov't fears the people, liberty; When the people fear the gov't, tyranny.)

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